Zachary Burnett
About Zachary Burnett
Zachary Burnett is a Software Engineer and Associate Scientist II at UCAR, specializing in coupled Earth systems modeling. He holds a PhD in Geographic Information Science and Cartography from the University of Maryland and has experience in scientific software engineering and ocean modeling.
Work at UCAR
Zachary Burnett has been employed at UCAR - The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research since 2020, serving as a Software Engineer and Associate Scientist II. His role involves working with coupled Earth systems using NUOPC/NEMS to integrate atmospheric, wave, and tidal inputs into circulation models. He also produces technical reports on development efforts as part of his contributions to the NOAA National Ocean Service. His work supports various scientific initiatives and enhances the understanding of complex Earth system interactions.
Education and Expertise
Zachary Burnett holds multiple degrees from the University of Maryland. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Geographic Information Science and Cartography from 2013 to 2017, followed by a Master's degree in the same field from 2017 to 2019. Currently, he is pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Geographic Information Science and Cartography, expected to be completed between 2021 and 2026. His academic background provides a strong foundation for his expertise in software engineering and scientific modeling.
Professional Background
Before joining UCAR, Zachary Burnett worked at ERT, Inc. as a Scientific Software Engineer from 2019 to 2020. He also held an internship as a Software Engineer at Parsons Corporation from 2014 to 2015. Additionally, he gained experience as an Ocean Modeling Intern at ERT, Inc. from 2018 to 2019. His early career included a role as a Student Researcher at the University of Maryland from 2015 to 2019, where he contributed to various research projects.
Research and Development Contributions
Zachary Burnett has developed automated uncertainty quantification for ensemble hindcast modeling to support the COASTAL Act requirements. He collaborates on open-source projects and modeling efforts with scientists both within and outside NOAA. His contributions to research and development enhance the capabilities of scientific modeling and improve the understanding of Earth system processes.